The Montreal Canadiens signed D Lane Hutson to a three-year entry-level contract

The Montreal Canadiens have signed defenseman Lane Hutson to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced.

TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reports Hutson will join the team in Detroit ahead of Monday's game.

The 5-foot-10, 161-pound blueliner was selected by the Canadiens in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft and is considered one of the team's top prospects.

“Some of the smartest fans in the world,” Hutson said of Montreal fans before the start of the NCAA Frozen Four. “I like how competitive they are. It would be my goal to play in front of those fans one day.

“And something I look forward to.”

Hutson became available to sign with Montreal after Boston University was eliminated in the semifinals of the Frozen Four on Thursday.

The 20-year-old had 15 goals and 49 points in 38 games this season at Boston University, where he was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award for the second year in a row.

Holland, Mich., was an alternate captain for the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Sweden, recording six assists in seven games.

“He leads by example with his play, his work ethic and his competitiveness,” said Terriers head coach Jay Pandolfo, who played 15 seasons in the NHL. “He feels comfortable being vocal this year. He's just upping his game. He was really good defensively in the region games. It's getting better there.”

Hutson had 30 goals and 97 points in 77 games over two seasons with the Terriers, where he was named a first-team All-American in 2022-23 and became the first freshman to win the Walter Brown Award, given annually to the top All-American. – Division I men's college hockey player in New England since Brian Leach in 1987.

Houston represented the United States internationally in five tournaments, scoring one goal and 23 points in 25 games, winning gold with the U20 team in 2024 and bronze in 2023, and silver with the U18 team in 2022.